| Advanced Level Chemistry – Parents guide
At Advanced level we follow the AQA AS/A level specification (2420) which can be downloaded from: http://web.aqa.org.uk/qual/gce/science/chemistry_materials.php?id=03&prev=03
This specification is designed to encourage students to:
- gain hands-on practical skills and data analysis skills
- appreciate how science works and its relevance beyond the laboratory
- develop an enthusiasm for Chemistry
- demonstrate a synoptic understanding
- study Chemistry in a contemporary context.
At AS Level (Y12) students are given a solid grounding in foundation Chemistry. The specification introduces the chemical reactivity of atoms and molecules and provides an understanding of their structures. The development and use of periodic table is explained.
- Unit 1: Foundation Chemistry
- Unit 2: Chemistry in Action
- Unit 3: Investigative and Practical Skills – Externally Marked Practical Assessment (EMPA)
At A2 Level the specification develops the concepts of physical chemistry introduced at AS. Students study kinetics, equilibria, organic chemistry and spectroscopic techniques to determine the molecular formulae and structures of organic compounds.
- Unit 4: Kinetics, Equilibria and Organic Chemistry
- Unit 5: Energetics, Redox and Inorganic Chemistry
- Unit 6: Investigative and Practical Skills - Externally Marked Practical Assessment (EMPA)
External examinations for Y12 and Y13 take place in January and June of each year, and we expect students to take these examinations seriously and prepare for them effectively. Mocks for these examinations are scheduled prior to the examinations themselves
Y12 – AS Examination – Specification code 1421
January |
Unit 1 –
CHM 1 - Foundation Chemistry |
70 raw marks
100 UMS
|
4-5 short answer questions plus 1 longer structured question |
1.25 hours |
33.33%
AS
16.66%
A level marks
|
June |
Unit 2 –
CHM2 - Chemistry in Action |
100 raw marks
140 UMS
|
6 - 8 short answer questions plus 2 longer structured questions |
1.75 hours |
46.66%
AS
23.33%
A level marks
|
June |
Unit 3 –
CHM3X - Investigative and Practical Skills in AS Chemistry
Externally Marked Route
|
50 raw marks
60 UMS
|
Task 1 and Task 2 carried out in 2 separate lessons – tasks set by examination board.
Written examination paper to be taken once task 1 and task 2 completed. |
1 hour 20 mins
|
20%
AS
10%
A level marks
|
Y13 – A2 Examination – Specification code 2421
January |
Unit 4 –
CHM4 - Kinetics, Equilibria and Organic Chemistry |
100 raw marks
120 UMS
|
6-8 short answer questions plus 2 longer structured questions.
Some of the questions will have synoptic elements.
|
1.75 hours |
20%
A level marks
|
June |
Unit 5 –
CHM5 - Energetics, Redox and Inorganic Chemistry |
100 raw marks
140 UMS
|
5 - 7 short answer questions plus 2-3 longer structured questions.
Some of the questions will have synoptic elements.
|
1.75 hours |
20%
A level marks
|
June |
Unit 6 –
CHM6X -
Investigative and Practical Skills in A2 Chemistry
Externally marked route
|
50 raw marks
60 UMS
|
Task 1 and Task 2 carried out in 2 separate lessons
– tasks set by examination board.
Written examination paper to be taken once task 1 and task 2 completed.
|
1 hour 20 mins
|
20%
AS
10%
A level marks
|
Homework is an integral part of the course; this is set by the department according to school policy. Students work is taken in and marked by staff on a frequent basis. We hope that you will encourage your daughter to complete these tasks and hand them in for marking. Pupils who receive regular written feedback from their staff including targets and suggestions of how to improve frequently make better progress than those pupils who miss deadlines and as a result do not receive individual comments on their work.
How else can I help as a parent?
Talk to your daughter’s about what they are learning – they will learn by trying to explain things to you.
Encourage them to complete more than the work set – this is the minimum requirement at A level.
Encourage them to review their work regularly, complete past papers, refer to mark schemes (available on the internet), summarise their work, read around the subject.
All students should also keep all their work together in a sensible order – in a labelled indexed folder if at all possible – with marked work included at the end of each section.
Support for pupils
Pupils are provided with a range of support. They are all provided with a course text book, and worksheets and some lesson PowerPoint slides are available for them on the school VLE. AS pupils have a Head Start GCSE to AS Bridging the Gap book to support them at the start of the course. Each unit has at least one independent study pack – these consist of past paper questions which are not routinely used in lessons. Pupils should work through these in preparation for their examinations (the answers to these questions are made available for pupils on the school VLE) and we hope that these will encourage your daughter to work independently. Students (AS) can request mentors and staff use seating plans for lessons to ensure all students are supported appropriately. Revision classes are often run either at lunchtime or by arrangement with staff and pupils. Staff will willingly give of their time to help individuals with issues relating to chemistry.
Useful websites:
www.aqa.org.uk – for specifications, past papers, mark schemes, examiners’ comments
www.chemsoc.org
www.rcs.org – Royal Society of Chemistry, “chemnet” portal
www.chemguide.uk
http://docbrown.info
A
lternatively – search on AQA A level Chemistry – for a myriad of useful webpages.
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